Day 2: New Zealand 438 all out lead England 223-2 (Duckett 113, Bethell 74*) by 215 runs
TRENT BRIDGE — Ben Duckett’s hard graft in the spring blossomed into a first Test century in more than a year as the opener produced an innings that not only saved his own career but got England back into this series decider against New Zealand in Nottingham.
As the 31-year-old completed the single that brought up his seventh Test hundred – and first since last June’s Headingley Test against India – he ran towards the Radcliffe Road End before fist-pumping manically and soaking up the acclaim of his home crowd.
Mere metres away from where Duckett ended up with his bat aloft is Nottinghamshire’s Bodyline Gym.
It’s here where a player who shocked England with the state of his fitness at the start of last winter’s Ashes tour spent hours on the treadmill getting back into shape once he decided to opt out of a £200,000 Indian Premier League deal with Delhi Capitals in March.
